A tall glass of Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) with a spoon to stir.

Traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da)

Sips of traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) bring peace to your day. Try this easy recipe made with a simple phin filter for an authentic taste of Vietnam.

A tall glass of Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) with a spoon to stir.
Traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da)

Sips of traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) bring peace to your day. Try this easy recipe made with a simple phin filter for an authentic taste of Vietnam.

A tall glass of Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) with a spoon to stir.

“If I pour your cup, that is friendship
If I add your milk, that is manners
If I stop there, claiming ignorance of taste,
that is tea

But if I measure the sugar
to satisfy your expectant tongue
then that is love”

– Cold Tea Blues, Cowboy Junkies

What is it about that cup of tea – or a cup of coffee – that tastes all the sweeter when it is made by someone else? When love surpasses the sugar, and coaxes the bitterness into something to bear?

A glass with a few inches of condensed milk topped with freshly made coffee from a phin filter.

Over the years, I have learned that there is more to a cup of coffee than blindly figuring out the ratio of water to grounds, or even to the method. Because even if I follow a specific recipe, the coffee I make myself on the weekdays doesn’t taste nearly as good as the coffee my husband greets me with on the weekend. I think something happens when someone you love stirs the spoon to swirl it to perfection.

Stirring a glass of freshly made coffee (via a phin filter) and a condensed milk with a spoon.

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When I am greeted by a cup of his coffee on the weekends, the morning starts of with sips of inner peace, and I awaken more gently. And by mid day, it is time for me to return the favor.

A tall glass of traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) is what he craves on the weekends, and although I used to make it once in a blue moon with the coffee maker, we now have a small arsenal of traditional coffee phin filter to make our mid-day treat.

Pouring a coffee and condensed milk mixture over a glass of ice to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee.

Brewing coffee using a phin filter has taught me to be more patient – the slow drip of the rich coffee into the glass reminds me that good things are worth waiting for, each sip tasting richer and sweeter than the last. It’s these little rituals that make our weekends richer, little gifts to one another, in a glass.

Holding a glass of Vietnamese Iced Coffee on a plate.

MORE BEVERAGE RECIPES

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat)
Almond Matcha Green Tea Latte
Horchata Cold Brew Latte
Meyer Lemon and Honey Lassi
Blueberry Ginger-Basil Soda

Traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da)

Sips of traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) bring a minute of peace to your day. Try this easy recipe made with a simple phin filter for an authentic taste of Vietnam. If
you don’t have a phin filter, check out how I make Vietnamese Iced Coffee made
with a coffee maker or French press
.
Course Beverages
Cuisine Vietnamese
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Calories 193kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk I recommend Longevity Brand Condensed Milk
  • 3 tablespoons dark French roast coffee ground (use the richest you can find – I recommend Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend)
  • 8 oz boiling water
  • 1 cup ice

Instructions

  • Pour condensed milk in a tall glass. Place the phin filter chamber and cup spanner on top of the glass, remove the filter and measure out the coffee, leveling it out by gently tapping the chamber. Place the filter on top, and pour just a touch of boiling water into the filter, just about to the level of the filter (about 20 mm or so) and let the water absorb into the coffee. Proceed to fill the chamber with the rest of the hot water to the top, cover, and let it steep until all the water passes through the filter. This can take some time, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Remove the filter, stir the condensed milk and coffee, then pour over a tall glass with ice. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

This requires an 8 oz traditional coffee phin filter. It’s an inexpensive tool that I have found to truly be worth adding to my kitchen arsenal. If you don’t have a phin filter, check out how I make Vietnamese Iced Coffee made with a coffee maker or French press.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 223mg | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 170mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. Sheri

    I fell in love with vietnamese iced coffee on our backpacking trip through Vietnam a couple years ago and have been craving it recently. So happy to have found this recipe here! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. felicia | Dish by Dish

    Liren, i love your words. Just found your blog via pinterest and love how there is a peace and simplicity in what you write. Your photos are absolutely full of light and gorgeous…so glad to meet you!

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Felicia, that is the ultimate compliment – thank you so much, that really means so much! I’m so glad to meet you, yay for Pinterest! Your blog is absolutely stunning and I’m looking forward to following along on your tasty adventures!

      Reply
  3. dixya@ food, pleasure, and health

    there is something exceptionally calming about the morning tea/coffee. i was introduced to this vietnamese coffee by my friend long time ago and i have been a huge fan ever since. just love these stuff!!!!! 

    Reply
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